For the millions of women suffering from uterine fibroids, daily life can be an ongoing battle with pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding and constant discomfort. These benign tumors affect up to 70% of women by age 50, yet many patients aren't aware of all their treatment options beyond hysterectomy. At Tanner Health, we offer Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) – a minimally invasive interventional radiology procedure that preserves the uterus while effectively treating fibroid symptoms.

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus. They can range from the size of a pea to as large as a melon, causing debilitating symptoms that impact quality of life:

• Heavy, prolonged menstrual bleeding requiring frequent pad/tampon changes
• Severe pelvic pain and pressure sensations
• Frequent urination due to bladder compression
• Constipation from bowel pressure
• Chronic back or leg pain
• Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)

While some women experience minimal symptoms, others find their daily activities severely limited by fibroid-related problems. Traditional treatments have often culminated in hysterectomy — complete surgical removal of the uterus — which, while effective, requires significant recovery time and permanently affects fertility.

UFE represents a revolutionary approach to fibroid treatment. Unlike hysterectomy or myomectomy (surgical removal of fibroids), UFE is performed by interventional radiologists using advanced imaging guidance:

1. A tiny incision (smaller than a pencil eraser) is made in the wrist or groin
2. Using real-time X-ray guidance, a catheter is precisely navigated to the uterine arteries
3. Microscopic embolic particles are strategically injected to block blood flow specifically to the fibroids
4. Without their blood supply, fibroids begin shrinking within days and continue reducing over 3 to 6 months

The entire UFE procedure typically takes under an hour, with most patients returning home the same day. Recovery generally requires 1 to 2 weeks, compared to 6 to 8 weeks for traditional fibroid surgery.

For women seeking fibroid relief without surgical removal of the uterus, UFE offers numerous advantages:

• Complete uterus preservation
• No general anesthesia required
• Shorter hospital stay (typically outpatient)
• Quicker return to work and normal activities
• Treatment of multiple fibroids simultaneously, regardless of location
• Over 90% improvement in bleeding and pain symptoms for most patients
• Significantly lower risk of complications than surgical interventions
• No abdominal surgical scars

Patients who choose UFE have experienced remarkable transformations at Tanner Health. Women who once structured their entire lives around their symptoms find relief and renewed freedom after treatment, often expressing surprise at how quickly they're able to return to their normal activities.

While UFE is an excellent option for many women with symptomatic fibroids, personalized evaluation is essential. Patients actively planning pregnancy may need to explore other options first, as research on UFE and subsequent fertility continues. Large fibroids or specific growth patterns might also respond differently to various treatments.

The key to successful fibroid management is working with a multidisciplinary team that includes your gynecologist and an interventional radiologist. At Tanner Health, we prioritize collaborative care plans that consider your specific symptoms, health goals and personal preferences.

If you're struggling with fibroid symptoms and want to avoid hysterectomy, ask your doctor about a referral to our interventional radiology department to discuss whether UFE might be the right choice for you. Patients seeking more information about interventional radiology services should speak with their primary care physician or specialist about a referral. Effective relief is possible without sacrificing your uterus or enduring major surgery.

At Tanner, Suhag Patel, MD, is board-certified in interventional radiology and specializes in minimally invasive procedures for women's health conditions, including uterine fibroids, adenomyosis and pelvic congestion syndrome.